Don't worry about making quarter yard cuts....a cut is a cut, whether it is a quarter yard or ten yards. The work is the same and the pay is the same. However fat quarters may be a better way to go. You have "fatter" piece of fabric and I think for your quilt it might be more usable. It would be awful if you could not get a whole appliqué piece on the quilt. If it is good fabric you then $1.99 is not a bad price and if it crap fabric...well you don't want it. You might try exchanging scraps with friends to get small bits that you need.